Restoration work on Bath Assembly Rooms, a Georgian structure in the northern part of Bath, has uncovered previously unknown Roman archaeological remains dating to the period of occupation centuries earlier.
The excavation beneath the building revealed a network of Roman ditches containing approximately 60 pottery fragments, glass vessels, animal bones, roof tiles, coins, and a limestone tessera potentially from a mosaic floor. Among the most significant finds was a fragment of a Roman military helmet, along with evidence of structural remains including a slot for a supporting beam. These discoveries provide new information about the extent of Roman settlement in the area and suggest additional remains may exist beneath nearby Georgian-era buildings and streets.
According to Marek Lewcun of Wessex Archaeology, the finds offer insight into the lives of ordinary residents in the Roman suburbs surrounding the famous bathhouse complex. He characterized these inhabitants as likely shopkeepers and tradespeople comparable to those found in modern suburban areas, who had integrated with settlers from across the Roman empire. The military helmet fragment indicates that military personnel were involved in establishing the settlement.
The Roman baths themselves, built around mineral-rich hot springs and known as Aquae Sulis, remain one of northern Europe’s best-preserved ancient sites, drawing over 1 million visitors annually. The recently discovered suburban remains help complete a fuller picture of Roman life in the area, filling a geographical and historical gap in existing knowledge.
The broader restoration project at Bath Assembly Rooms is valued at £20m and includes repairs to areas damaged during the second world war, along with conservation of original Georgian chandeliers. The building is scheduled to reopen next year with new visitor facilities.
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